Friend-Zoned..?

For the next few weeks after the conference I didn’t see Emma. Once again, she did her disappearing trick, laying lower than a snake’s belly. Avoiding me as if I was a street hawker or even worse... a tax man.

Emma was that embarrassed by her actions, once we crossed paths in the sales corridor and pretended to be on a call and dived into a meeting room, tripping over in the process, and spilling her files everywhere. I went go and help but she closed the meeting room door, keeping her charade of the phone call.

I felt a little sad but completely understood her awkwardness after putting everything on the line only to leave herself exposed and ****.

The awkwardness continued for about a month until one day the weather was awful meaning the canteen was full. I was sharing a table with some black guy who was listening to headphones and engrossed in a rather graphic Marvel comic.

The door opened and in walked Emma shaking the excess water from her umbrella. Her platinum hair was in a tight bun, dressed in a long white trench coat with skinny black jeans and high heels, she looked around and saw the only chair that was free happened to be next to me.

Emma appeared torn on whether to approach me or sneak back out. But I made up her mind for her by pulling the chair free and patting it while I smiled at her.

To my delight Emma immediately returned my smile with one of her own then walked up to my table. She unbelted her coat to reveal a tight black jumper, then hung the coat of the back of the chair before slumping onto the chair. “Bloody weather, who would think it’s August?”

“I know. Can’t even go out for my lunchtime walk to de-stress.”

“Wish I was still as health conscious as you, Dan. But after a decade of eating like a monk and exercising like a pro athlete, I feel I deserve my lazy days and comfort eating. Turning into a right podge.”

“Nothing wrong with your figure, Em,” I winked. “So… you OK, trouble?”

“Well, I was until you called me trouble.”

It felt good to be talking to Emma properly again. I sniggered while taking a glance at the black guy who was still lost in his comic and music. I then asked Emma, “Things busy in marketing?”

“Always.”

“At least the day flies by….”

“True, true.” Emma then snorted a brief laugh. She voice was little more than a whisper. “Listen. I’m sorry about being such a mess during the conference. I was clearly not in a good place. I don’t think I was ready to face the world. I drunk far to too much and ended up being everything I hate... a slut.”

“It’s fine. I’m a big boy.”

“No. It wasn’t.” Emma placed her hand on her heart. “Not for me. I’m better than behaving like that. Can’t imagine what you think of me.”

“I felt sorry.” This seemed to strike home with Emma. “No one should be **** enough to want to sleep with me.” The black guy obviously picked up on what I said, as he eyes darted from Emma to me, then back to Emma. A grin appeared on his face.

Emma glared at the black man. She knew his name. “I think you should increase the music volume, Colin. Don’t you?” He nodded in agreement then increased volume of the rap-metal. She then looked as me. “You’re right, Dan.” Then smirked and rested her head on her hands. “Jesus, how far have I fallen?”

“You know how to hurt a man.”

“I’ve had a lot to deal with this year, obviously. And I think all the pressure is getting to me.” Emma broke into a wry smile as she opened her pasta box. “It’s just all my friends are settling down and having children. I thought I was finally doing the same with a man I thought was loyal. I had a successful career, money, and a fancy new house.” She dug her fork into the tomato pasta. “Now I’m on my arse doing a mundane nine to five, offering myself to married man who’s too good-a-man to be interested.” Emma began to quake as her blue eyes shimmered with burgeoning tears.” It sucks eating microwave meals alone. I even started jogging just to get out the house… and I fucking hate running. “

“I hate running too.” I gave Emma a moment to compose herself. “In fact, someone once told me I run like a fucking idiot.” I saw Emma raise a faint smile. “Anyway. I think we should look forward rather than looking back on past regrets. And I look forward to a good friendship between us.”

Emma raised her water bottle. “I’ll toast to that, Dan.”

“A wholesome platonic friendship.”

“Whoa, steady on with platonic - though?” Emma sniggered but wilted under my glare. “Relax, Dan. I’m just joking.”

Colin also raised his drink too with a smile. I laughed but Emma didn’t see the funny side.

~

Although the awkwardness was gone, I didn’t see too much of Emma over the next few weeks. But if we bumped into each other around the office we’d always smile and exchange pleasantries. But nothing more than politeness.

Then…

It was my birthday weekend and as my birthday falls in the late summer - its festival season. As a man in his early thirties I’m not one for spending a full weekend listening to bands in a crowded piss-soaked field.

But I do love live music so at least once or twice a year I get a day pass or just attend the small smaller local festivals.

And so I did for my birthday.

I attended a nearby festival of local bands and several renowned tribute acts. It had become an annual tradition with my wife, brother, and a few good friends. The sun shone and the beer flowed. I’m never happier than when I’m with my favourite people.

And I felt great.

We pitched up at the front of the gathering crowd and lay on the dry grass supping over-priced beer and chatting away while the crew put last touches to the stage.

A Bob Marley act opened the festival on the main stage, but they struggled to get the crowd going, largely because it was too early for people to get in the mood as they weren’t beery. Still, I felt they deserved a better crowd so clapped along and shouted my support between songs. Bob even gave me a mention. Yet my boisterousness irked my wife a little as she hated being centre of attention. But I just gave her an affectionate hug, and all was quickly forgotten.

Ria is a truly gorgeous specimen. Even dressed down for the for the mud and muck of the festival she looked utterly charming in her tight jeggings, walking boots and open denim top over a tight white shirt. She also wore fashionable shades under a pink baseball cap to hide from the sun.

I was a proud husband who loved his wife very much.

Then there was a shout from my left. “Dan! Yo! Birthday boy.”

I heard it but before I could spot where it came from there was a further shout. “Dan! Over here you blind git!”

And then I spotted the culprits, a group of sellers and office staff from work. I waved back then focused back on the band. But Ria pushed me on my upper arm. “Go and say Hi. They all look made up to see you.”

“I suppose you’re right. Come with me, I’ll introduce you.”

“I’m cool here.”

I quizzed. “You sure?”

“I’ll keep your bro company.”

I walked over and began shaking hands and slapping backs of my colleagues. But as I went about the group Emma arrived carrying drinks with a handsome male. Like most festival hotties she was wearing a skimpy band shirt, the Rolling Stones in her case, denim shorts and branded wellington boots. Her blond hair falling in hippy like locks with a little glitter on her cheeks. I felt a little awkward and smiled. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“I always come to this festival. One of the best events in this shitty town’s calendar.”

“Oh right.” I watched as Emma handed the drinks to a friend. I then gave her a light hug. “I suppose I didn’t’ t really know you last year.”

Emma broke from the hung. “Dan, this is Pete.” She smiled and gave Pete a cute little embrace. “My new boyfriend.”

“Hey, Pete. I’m Dan, Em’s colleague.” Although Pete’s smile was friendly, I felt him squeeze my hand, and it was more than just a man shake. He literally tried to crush the bones in my hand.

“Yeah, Dan. I’ve heard your name a few times.”

“You have?” Finally Pete released my hand. “Good things, I hope.”

He didn’t answer.

I sat with the group for a few minutes but then made my excuse to leave. It was no fun seeing Emma with Pete. Especially as he was clearly a bit of a cunt.

Emma could do better. And I wasn’t talking about myself.

Back with my group, with my tail firmly between my legs, I sat back at Ria’s side, and admitted, “Glad that’s over with.”

“Is that Emma? The tall fancy blond?”

“Yeah. That’s Em… She’s with her new boyfriend.”

“Don’t look too disappointed. “Ria elbowed me lighted in the ribs. Then added, “She’s just what I expected. Very beautiful. Can tell she was model. “

“See. I told you were both very similar. Apart from ethnicity, of course. But she always reminds me of you. I think you both share a lot of the same traits. Career women. You’d probably get along.”

“Oh. Since coming back to the UK I could do with a friend.” Ria seemed happy with the comparison. “I might venture over in a little while. Get to know what all the fuss is about.” She took a swig from her plastic glass of cider. “I’ll have to have a drink first.”

I swallowed deeply. The consequences could be horrific. But making an excuse for her not too would just create suspicion and accelerate my demise. “Erm, yeah go for it.”

A Rolling Stones tribute walked on to the stage. And if you squinted and looked from a distance, it could really have been them. Mick Jagger ponced about and paraded on stage while Keith looked as cool as fuck.

In second the crowd were on their feet.

The Stones are one of my favourites and my brother and I lunged forward and began dancing about, imitating Jagger’s infamous stage presence.

A hand grabbed my shoulder. I could tell it was female as it was light and felt delicate. I turned about expecting to see my wife. But it was Emma. She began dancing about in a fun rather than a provocative or flirtatious way. And urged me to join her to the rhythm of Brown Sugar.

I tried to act cool but right away I was flashbacks of the Sales Conference.

Ria was dancing with my brother and friends. It was good to see Ria and my brother Dave together. They hadn’t always got on. You see they’re both strong characters and when we first got together, both Dave and Ria’s egos collided in a titanic struggle for my affection. Dave and I were best friends as well as brothers. He was five years younger but was more muscular than I with blond hair. But behind his manly exterior he was **** and lacked confidence with women. At the time he saw Ria as a threat to his world. And in time she saw him as a negative influence on me. Neither wanted to miss out on my attention.

But here they were now dancing like there had never been enemies. They looked good together.

Ria soon caught eye of Emma and I, and immediately had a concerned look about her. Emma quickly sensed this and simply went over and gave Ria a warm embrace. Neutralizing the threat. Putting out the spark of troublesome fires.

Soon both groups, work and my friends, had merged into one harmonious gathering,

The Stones were followed by Kasabian and then the Killers. Emma and Ria were now a team, and got along famously. To be honest they looked like they had known each other years. I almost felt jealous.

And a little alone.

Mid-afternoon Ria came up to me and we took a break from the crowd . We went to get something to eat and drink.

At the Pizza van we could finally hear each other without shouting. I asked, “So, you and Emma got along OK. You were talking for an hour.”

“We did. She is cool. Uber friendly and you can tell she is intelligent.”

“As I said, she is just like you.”

Ria admitted ruefully, “And just like me… Emma also seems to admire you.”

“Admire me?”

“Yes. I can tell.”

“Oh.” I was waiting for Ria to kick off. But it never came. In fact Ria looked a little emotional. I put it, at least in part, down to the ****. “You OK?”

“Yes.”

“You sure?”

Ria palmed away the tears. “I feel very proud to have you in my life. And all though Emma didn’t say as much, I think she would love a man like you.”

II gave Ria a squeeze. Then rested my lips on her dusky cheek, “I love you. And I’m going nowhere. I owe my happiness to you.”

We returned to the group hand in hand to see Emma sitting on the grass. She was sat alone looking a little deflated and wishing she was elsewhere. Her boyfriend, probably high on coke or something worse, was pretending the fuck the back of head to his friend’s laughter. Honestly, it was a bizarre sight. And needless to say, very immature. Ria let out a sigh, “Honestly, is Pete 27 going on 17?”

“As I said… Emma deserves better.”

“She definitely does.”

I smiled. "Maybe she could do with a good friend, like you. A good influence."

"Maybe."

~

The festival closed with a set from local heroes Oasis playing a set that took me back to my childhood when life was simple. Ria had her arm around me and held me tight. My friends were all around and even David had pulled. Emma and Pete were nowhere to be seen. I guess they were up to no good in bushes or something.

As the set closed and the band finished with an encore of Don’t Look Bank in Anger, a song quite apt for Emma everyone sang along to the melancholy lyrics.

We followed the crowds that streamed out of the country park heading towards town and we crossed paths with Emma and a few colleagues, pete was nowhere to be seen. Emma waved at Ria and I and we stopped to say goodnight, but Em embraced Ria. “We’ve got a minibus to town." Emma then looked ar me. "Fancy coming for a few more drinks?”

“No, it’s OK.”

“Come, just for a nightcap.” Emma looked at Ria. “I want to get to know you. I have a few contacts I want to share with you. But only after a drink of course. We don’t want work to get in the way of a good time.” Talking business was the way to Ria’s heart.

Ria then looked at me in a none comital way. But I could tell she looked ready for bed. I glanced at Emma and said.

1) No. Maybe next time.

2) Yes. Lets go for a drink and see where the night takes us.

Looking for authors to join in this story. All fetishes are welcome. Let’s give Emma a good time

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